Chewing Ice!!!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

What does everyone actually KNOW about the connection between being anemic and the insatiable appetite for chewing ice?? I know that it is generally acknowledged as a symptom of anemia, but no one can tell me WHY, an actual physiological reason. Hmm.

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god when people chew ice it anoys me beond all belief. my best friend and sister do it all the time.

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I don't think science has figured out exactly why... just some combination of psychological and biochemical factors.

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Specializes in Inpatient Acute Rehab.

I don't know why either. But, when I was pregnant with the last 3 babies, I chomped on ice like a mad woman!!!

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

It's a form of pica.

I've heard theories that the brain relates the taste of ice to a metallic taste, etc.

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
god when people chew ice it anoys me beond all belief. my best friend and sister do it all the time.

Hi,

I bet their dentists have probably told them not to do this, hard to stop I do not doubt.

I saw a documentary and it included how our teeth are hard yet porous and that chewing ice forces those spongy pores open wider and wider, (microscopically).

Yeowch.

Gen

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Specializes in ICU.

I vote for pica. When I read your post that is the first thing that came to mind. Can't remember the rationale off hand, but maybe this gives you a lead.

:) Ketcia:)

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"a bad habit." I remember my mom telling me...stopppp chewing ice or you'll ruin your teeth! Now I have done it my whole life, haven't technically *ruined* my teeth, but i'm sure it's not good for them (the ice expands the enamel...creates weak spots...etc.). Even more fun. I now get to tell my OWN daughter who learned the "bad habit" from her mother....stopppp chewing ice or you'll ruin your teeth! Oy. :chuckle

~J

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Specializes in Hospice, Critical Care.

My sister has iron-deficiency anemia and she ALWAYS chews ice!

My anemic patient today asked me for a cup of ice. She was unaware of the connection but said, yes, she chews ice frequently!

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I can say that I felt this urge back last year. All I wanted to do was chew ice.

I would stop at a 7-11 just to get a cup full of the "soft" ice out of their machine. I had never had this urge before and did not know why I had it now. At a routine physical, my doc did blood work and dang if I wasn't anemic. Took me totally off guard..:uhoh3: I started on an iron suppliment and the anemia has gone...so has the ice chewing. Strange but true in my case.. Not sure of the metabolic reasons why though.:confused:

LPN 90

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OMG I chew ice and I cant stop!!!!!!!!! :(

It's strange because I can go for a few days and not chew any at all and then all the sudden I cant get enough. I know it annoys my family and my peers at work but I cant stop!

Is it really related to anemia? I had always thought that was a wives tale. The way I chew it, I may be in need of an transfusion lol.

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I can't STAND being near someone who is chewing ice. It physically hurts me to hear the noise and watch them chew it (I have extremely sensitive teeth); sympathy pains I guess, lol. Same with people who chew popsicles and things like that (I'm shuddering just thinking about it).

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